Brazil gets go-ahead for Confederations Cup despite issues

Brazil faces a race against time to complete construction work on stadiums after FIFA gave the green light for six cities to stage Confederations Cup matches next year.

FIFA said Belo Horizonte, Brasilia, Fortaleza, Recife, Rio de Janeiro and Salvador would host matches in the eight-team competition even though some of the stadiums would not be ready until four months before the tournament begins.

Football's governing body had stated that venues had to be completed six months before the event kicks off but it has relaxed the rules to allow the host country an additional eight weeks to get the stadiums ready.

The tournament, featuring the champions of the country groupings that make up FIFA's six "confederations," will be closely watched as a major test ahead of Brazil's hosting of the 2014 World Cup.

FIFA and Brazil have been at loggerheads over preparations for the World Cup, to be held in 12 Brazilian cities, because of construction delays, organisational uncertainty, and disputes over an alcohol ban in stadiums and ticket discounts for students and senior citizens, both of which are mandated by Brazilian law for sporting events.

Many in Brazil are also worried that logistical hassles could complicate the World Cup, which is expected to attract as many as 600,000 foreign visitors in addition to the crush of locals who will be attending games.

Despite government promises to modernise the country's aged and overburdened roads and airports, routine travel in Brazil remains plagued by delays.